Petricor

Company: Human Nature Dance Theatre

Choreographers: Cynthia Ahlers, Gina Darlington, Jayne Lee

Performers: Cynthia Ahlers, Gina Darlington, Jayne Lee

In Petricor, we are presented with a gathering of archetypes – three women of a certain age, elegant in long black jumpers, standing back-to-back center stage. The trio seemingly possess the collective wisdom of the crones and have assembled to perform what I can only interpret as a ritual. They are serious and what they are performing is of some consequence. Be they witches? Who knows. What seems certain is that these women are familiars of long standing, bound together by some long association and now by their common purpose. They seem to be acting in concert out of a mutual knowledge, deeply held, requiring no language.

The three stand back-to-back, in a tight circle with only the small stool between them. There is a gesture here that feels like a motif, or at least a central element in the performance. The performers thrust one arm outward, palm vertical, hand strait and pointing. This is done repeatedly and forcefully, giving the impression that something is being warded off or held at bay – a wordless admonition. One of them stares momentarily into the distance, alert to something in the great out-there. A power is being exercised here. It feels ancient – but to what purpose, we don’t know. Mutual protection? Interceding for a community? Saving the planet?

Whatever it was, we were allowed to witness something very personal and authentic. The mutual connection was unmistakable in their twining gestures and momentary tableaus. They were fierce with whatever lay beyond, but equally tender with each other. When one performer would mount the stool to make an exultant gesture, she did so with the careful assistance of the other two. In a small, unchoreographed moment, not meant for the audience, one of the women lightly placed her hand over that of another, certainly an act of wordless acknowledgement and reassurance.

I don’t want to speculate on the implications of the title, Petricor, which is the scent created when rain falls on dry, dusty earth. It is conceptually potent but in this context enigmatic and, I think, highly personal for this collaboration. The connection between these women was apparent and felt very real. As mature artists, what they celebrated together and whatever they defended against, they were able to abstract into movement and they brought their authentic selves to its performance. As co-collaborators, they shared that movement with us, creating this moment of quiet power and enduring beauty.

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